Psychodynamic Theories (just one part I hope) Flashcards
What’s the basic backstory behind Freud and how he developed leanings?
Worked in 30s Germany, became convinced that nationalism was a result of deep-seeded aggressive tendencies in people. Discovered that people could be cured just by talking about problems. This was “drawing unconsciousness into the open”
Why did Freud want to draw unconscious issues into the open through therapy?
Because the rational mind could then deal with them through acknowledgement and rationalization
Define psychodynamic theories
All works by Freud and followers that place an emphasis on subconscious. Also on childhood/urges
Explain the id. What two principles does it contain?
primitive, reservoir of psychic energy (raw biological behaviours). Stupid and stubborn
- Pleasure principle: immediate gratification
- primary process thinking: relying on illogical fantasies.
Explain the ego. What principles does it abide by?
Mediator between other two. Also wants to maximize gratification but only when appropriate
- reality principle: delay gratification until appropriate outlets can be found
- Secondary process thinking: rationalism/cognition
Explain the superego. When does it emerge?
(often irrational) Demands of culture/society. Emerges at age 5 when we understand difference between right/wrong
Give an example of the i/e/se fighting
See an attractive person, id urges you to fuck them, supergeo says you should be ashamed of this, ego tries to find a middle ground (asking them out)
What are the three levels of conscious awareness? Which one has greatest influence?
- conscious (here and now)
- preconscious (middle name)
- unconscious (repressed memories/desires, greatest influence)
Describe the ice berg structure in terms of how it relates to the i/e/se and the levels of awareness
id/unc entirely underwater, biggest chunk. se/e are conscious precon, and unc (above and below)
Explain the tyranny of sex and aggression.
Tension between three agents
Lack of clear rules relating to these
No vending machines for them
Also have biggest consequences
What is anxiety caused by here? What does this result in?
Failure of ego to mediate unc conflicts. The deployment of defence mechanisms
Explain the two conflicts that arise to create anxiety un the unc
- id getting out of control and doing something terrible,
2. superego getting out of hand and exaggerating a transgression -> guilt
If I fail a test because I don’t study, but assert that it’s actually the teacher’s fault, what mech am I using?
Rationalization “flagship”
If I killed someone and then tried to forget about it, what mech am I using? Where am I actually putting these memories?
Repression. Unconscious (pressure cooker)
If I blame the sexual tension between myself and someone else on that someone else liking me, what am I doing?
Projecting
If I snap at my partner after having a bad day at “work”, what mech am I using? What’s at work here?
Displacement. e/se restrain behaviour which bottles up and explodes elsewhere
What are Gay baptist breachers damning the gays to hell doing?
Reaction formation (the opposite of what your feel)
If I start bragging about how good at basketball I am when I’ve been upshown, what am I doing?
Regression
What is a proud boy doing when he joins up?
Identification. Increasing self esteem through association with a real or imagined group
What is art and boxing for some people?
Sublimation -> “healthy” channels for sex and aggression respectively
If a fact is so anxiety-inducing that I ignore it, what am I engaging in?
Denial
What is the thinking behind the psychosexual stages? When is personality established by?
Personality is established at 5 because of the stages one has had to progress through since then. How kids deal with pleasures at certain stages. Fixation will negatively impact personality
What is fixation caused by?
Too much gratification or frustration of needs
If I overeat /smoke as an adult, what stage did I likely get fixated on?
- Oral: biting/sucking
